Fitness Business Management

OVERVIEW

Learn to strategically manage a personal training program or a fitness department with the education you'll get in the Fitness Business Management Online Training Program. This program is ideal for allied health and fitness professionals, personal trainers, fitness managers, and entrepreneurs who wish to establish a successful business model to apply to a fitness operation.

This online certificate program is offered in partnership with major colleges, universities, and other accredited education providers.

The American College of Sports Medicine’s Professional Education Committee certifies that Educational Fitness Solutions, Inc, who works with us to bring you this program, meets the criteria for official ACSM Approved Provider status. Providership # 672784. This program is approved for 50 Continuing Education Credits through ACSM.

OBJECTIVE

By completing Fitness Business Management Program, you'll be able to:

Identify the skill-sets and competencies that a fitness professional needs in order to be a successful entrepreneur, owner, or department manager Understand how to operate a fiscally successful business in the fitness industry

Identify how branding influences consumers and creates a demand for fitness services and products

Understand customer relationship management methods

Effectively use sales techniques

Explore the profession as a potential career choice with the optional field internship experience

Work as a fitness manager or business owner in the health and fitness industry

DETAILS

A successful fitness business is about more than burning calories and building muscles. To be competitive in the business world, you need to know about strategic planning, accounting, marketing, human resources, customer relations, and more. The Fitness Business Management Program will prepare you to implement a successful business system in private or commercial health clubs, medically-based fitness facilities, community wellness centers, personal training studios, physical therapy clinics, YMCAs, JCCs, college centers, recreational settings, or corporate fitness centers. This program was developed to establish an industry standard in fitness management education.

This certificate program includes:

The planning process for starting a new venture

Common approaches to developing a strategic business plan for specific types of health and fitness-related facilities

An introduction to financial and managerial accounting concepts

Exploration of how successful marketing and branding guide a company's business strategy

The organization and administration of for-profit and not-for-profit health and fitness facilities

A competitive advantage offered in this program is the Optional Field Internship. Students who take advantage of this option will be able to practice the fitness management concepts they've learned about through a six-week, 60-hour internship in a health and fitness setting.

This program is offered in partnership with the IDEA Health & Fitness Association, Health Club Managers, Inc., and Personal Fitness Professional (PFP). IDEA provided content and curriculum for the program, and, as a student, you'll receive a complimentary six-month subscription to the digital edition of IDEA Fitness Journal. Health Club Managers, Inc., a health club staff and management training company, provides graduating certificate students with a preferred discount on their services. PFP provides students with a free three-year subscription. The subscription includes eight print issues of their magazine per year, a bi-monthly e-newsletter, a digital magazine, and access to an interactive Web site with blogs, polls, articles, and much more.

Continuing Education Credits/Units

The following national organizations and associations have approved this Fitness Business Management Program for CEC/CEUs:

The American Senior Fitness Association (SFA): 2.0 CEUs per program

The Health and Fitness Professionals Association (HFPA): 30 CECs per program and 60 CECs for the Optional Field Internship

The National Council on Strength and Fitness (NCSF): 10 CEUs per program

The National Federation of Professional Trainers (NFPT): 1 CEC per program, equivalent to an entire six-month CEC requirement

The National Strength and Professional Association (NSPA): 2 CEUs per program

Upon registering, you're given six months to complete this program.

OUTLINE

I. Business Development and
Entrepreneurship in Fitness
A. Business Fundamentals
B. Being a Fitness Manager
C. Understand Key Manager Skill-Sets
D. Sales and Marketing
II. Financial Principles and Business Concepts
A. Major Types of Financial Statements
B. Budgetary and Forecast Spreadsheets
C. Apply Financial and Accounting Principles to
Start a Fitness Business
D. The Basics of the Federal Tax System
III. Marketing, Sales, and Customer Service Management
A. Consumer Buying Behaviors in the Fitness Industry
B. Customer-Centric Focus
C. Transform Customer Satisfaction to Customer
Loyalty
D. Why Customers Buy or Don't Buy a Particular Club
Service
IV. Fitness Management and Business Administration
A. The Role of the Human Resources Department
B. The Job Description of a Fitness Professional
C. Staff Development
D. How Staff Development, Business Development, and
Customer Service Management Work Together
V. Elective Program: Optional Field Internship in Fitness Business
Management
A. Intern for a total of six weeks, 60 hours with
professionals in the fitness and health industry for a practical
experience working with members at fitness facilities and health centers
B. Network and interact with professionals in the
health and fitness industry
C. Develop a professional goal statement and review
career opportunities
D. Improve your ability to obtain employment or
operate your own health and fitness facility

REQUIREMENTS

This program is compatible with the Windows XP and later operating systems and IE 7 and later browsers.

This program can be taken on a PC or Mac. Technical requirements include, but are not limited to, having Internet access with a 56K modem (but it's highly recommended that you have DSL or high-speed cable Internet access), 64 MB system RAM, 200 MB free hard-disk space memory or sufficient storage, reliable e-mail account access, CD-ROM/DVD capabilities, and a reliable Internet provider. Some individual programs may have additional software or hardware requirements.

These materials will be provided by ed2go:

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

First, Break All the Rules: What the World's Greatest Managers Do Differently

Performance Management That Drives Results

Harvard Business Essentials: Finance for Managers

How to Win Customers and Keep Them for Life

PREREQUISITES

There are no specific prerequisites to enter this program, other than an Internet connection, an e-mail address, and basic computer knowledge. Students are required to have CPR certification and approval by the program coordinator prior to beginning the Optional Field Internship.

The Fitness Business Management Program offers essential educational pathways and career opportunities for:

Current managers who are wishing to implement successful fitness management systems

Current allied health and fitness professionals and personal trainers interested in establishing a fitness business or becoming a fitness manager

Education directors of multi-site facilities or chains who focus on staff development for fitness professionals and fitness managers

Companies that require the certificate program as a professional development program for employees to achieve key business goals, career objectives, and skills to advance beyond entry-level positions

INSTRUCTOR

Ken Baldwin, M.ED, ACSM-H/FI, is the program coordinator and an instructor for the Personal Fitness Trainer and Advanced Fitness Trainer Programs. He is the former chair of IDEA's National Personal Trainer Committee and chair of the Senior Fitness Subcommittee for the Massachusetts Governor's Committee on Physical Fitness and Sports. Ken is the senior editor, content expert, and lead author for ACSM's Resources for the Personal Trainer Textbook, Second Edition. He continues to serve on national committees for the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), AAHPERD, and the Medical Fitness Association. He's been honored with numerous awards, including IDEA's Personal Trainer of the Year Award, presented at the IDEA International Personal Training Summit.

Ken has been involved in the fitness, wellness, and education profession for over 10 years. His background includes operating and managing a personal training company; training many types of populations, from children to seniors and beginning exercisers to athletes; and lecturing and consulting at corporations, public events, national conventions (ACSM Health and Fitness Summit, Club Industry, IDEA, International Council of Active Aging, and the Medical Fitness Association, to name a few), and international conferences. In addition to his industry experience, he's actively involved in working with national organizations and colleges and universities to develop educational standards for those wishing to enter the personal fitness training profession.

FAQS

1. Can I register for programs if I am an international student?

Yes, because ed2go programs are online you never have to actually travel to the school. Most schools offer telephone or online registration.

2. How long does it take to complete a program?

All of our programs are self-paced and open enrollment, so you can start them when you want and finish them at your own pace. Upon registering, you're given six months to complete this program.

3. Do I have to buy additional materials?

All the materials you'll need are included, and their cost will be covered by your tuition. ed2go will ship all materials ground service upon enrollment.

4. Can I get financial assistance?

ed2go courses are non-credit courses, so they do not qualify for federal aid. In some states, vocational rehab or workforce development boards will pay for qualified students to take our courses.

5. What happens when I complete the program?

Upon successful completion of the program, you will be awarded a certificate of completion.

6. Am I guaranteed a job?

ed2go programs will provide you with the skills you need to obtain an entry-level position in most cases. We don't provide direct job placement services, but our facilitators and career counselors will help you build your resume and are available to give advice on finding your first job. Facilitators will also be available to use as a professional reference upon completion of the program. Potential students should always do research on the job market in their area before registering.

7. Who will be my instructor?

Each student is paired up with a facilitator for one-on-one interaction. The facilitator will be available (via e-mail) to answer any questions you may have and to provide feedback on your performance. All of our facilitators are successful working professionals in the fields in which they teach.

8. What software or hardware do I need in order to take online programs and what are the system requirements?

In order to take our online programs, you must have access to a computer and the Internet. You can access the program contents from any Web-enabled computer. You don't have to use the same computer to log-in to the program every time. We recommend that you have a word-processing program (Microsoft Word is best) and the latest version of Internet Explorer.

9. Can I use a Mac?

Yes, you can use a Mac for this program.

10. How can I get more information about the program?

If you have questions that are not answered on our website, please feel free to contact us via LIVE chat (click the button toward the top of the page). If you are visiting us during non-business hours, please feel free to send us a question using the "Contact Us" form to the right. You may also call us at 1-855-520-6806. We will answer your questions promptly.

11. When can I start the program?

Our programs are all open enrollment. You can register and start the program as soon as you are ready.

Please note: Once the program curriculum is accessed online or through submission of a material shipment confirmation, refunds cannot be issued.

12. How am I graded or assessed for this program?

Your grade will be determined based upon the total points earned on quizzes, problem-solving questions, exams, written reports, special projects, and assignments.

13. What must I do to graduate with the Certificate in Fitness Business Management?

Complete and receive a passing grade (of C- or above) in all modules.

14. How will I interact with the teacher?

We know how important it is for the teacher to be available to the student. You can use regular e-mail, the classroom discussion boards, the chat room, or the telephone to interact with the teacher.

15. Where and how do I perform my Optional Field Internship Program?

Students who enter the program have three unique options for placement in a six-week, 60-hour internship experience. You may elect to intern at an approved partnered internship site, at a facility of your choice either in the U.S. or internationally (with program coordinator and instructor approval), or at a facility with which you're currently employed.

The internship program requires students to establish informational interviews approximately four weeks prior to the internship start date with several different internship site locations. An internship information packet will be provided to guide you in the process of setting up an internship, if you're interested in this opportunity. NOTE: Students do need to receive CPR certification and approval by the program coordinator prior to beginning the Optional Field Internship Program.

16. What if I don't have enough time to complete my program within the time frame provided?

The time allotted to complete your program has been calculated based on the number of hours for each program, so don't worry too much about not completing in time. If, after a concerted effort, you are still unable to complete, your Student Advisor will help you work out a suitable completion date. Please note that a fee will be charged for an extension.

Cal Poly Pomona - The College of the Extended University3801 West Temple Avenue, Bldg. 220ACollege of the Extended UniversityPomona, CA 91768 US